FIRST INSTINCTS OF ADORATION IN PRIMITIVE MAN Sir Samuel Baker, Exeter Literary Society
The rod of Aaron which changed into a serpent was rivalled by the rods of the Egyptian sorcerers which in like manner assumed the form of snakes. There is reason to believe that such rods were portions of sacred trees supposed to possess magic powers. At the present day the rain-maker of central Africa carried a peculiar staff or wand, which he waved at impending clouds, either to produce or retard a shower.
The Devon Evening Express (Exeter, Devon, England)
05 Jan 1877, Fri Page 1
FIRST INSTINCTS OF ADORATION IN PRIMITIVE MAN Sir Samuel Baker
Conscious of his own helplessness—naked —unarmed, dependent upon his labour for the support of life, primitive man subdued by difficulties confesses his inferiority, and seeks assistance from some mightier though unseen agency. His nervous system, weakened by adversity, is excited by a craving after the unknown; the disasters and sorrows of life humble his spirit, and in the hour of his necessity we discover the first instincts of adoration. He seeks the aid of the unknown. Adoration commences without the love which refined civilization would bestow upon a Deity, but the origin of worship is terror;—the dread of a calamity induces a sacrifice or propitiation; the unknown is regarded as a spirit or influence of evil. Magic is so closely allied with the first instincts of adoration—i e., superstition, that it is almost co eval. The earliest re-presentative of this art was the Rain-maker or controller of the elements. His power rapidly increased until he became a recognised authority upon every subject. The sorcerer was the high priest of the ignorant, and controlled the tribe from the king to the most humble savage, and the charms and amulets of the sorcerer resolved themselves into fetish worship.
The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (Exeter, Devon, England) 05 Jan 1877, Fri Page 5
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